by Olivia Discon
Following a full day of driving, a visit to “Chihuly at Biltmore” and the Biltmore Estate, we still found time to visit the Asheville Art Museum, which offers a diverse and interesting collection. Our visit to this Museum was our last activity on the last day of our trip, and it served as a pleasant, relaxing way to reflect on an enjoyable seven days of learning, networking, and fun.
Our visit began with a surprise: a piece by Maya Lin, who rose to fame after designing the Vietnam War Memorial. Intriguingly, on our trip to DC, we met Ms. Lin!
We never would have guessed that this piece in the Asheville Museum, a minimalist depiction of the French Broad River, lined with steel pins, was her work! It was exciting to see her style in a different form.
Continuing, we explored a contemporary take on an art salon filled with unique, disturbing, and thought-provoking works. Many of these artists attended the same school as Andy Warhol, and their deviation from the norm was clear. The pieces really challenged our notion of art.
One of my favorite pieces was Andrew Wyeth’s mold of his hands, paired with a painting of the very same hands in a snowy landscape. It was simple yet so detailed and personal.
Another favorite was “Dominion” by Bo Bartlett. This painting immediately grabbed our attention with its vivid portrayal of a polar bear. The clearly disturbed animal atop a melting icecap was visibly wounded. The bear’s demeanor made us pontificate about the tragic backstory. Whether it be a commentary on climate change, or the aftermath of sublime nature taking its toll, the piece was striking and moving all the same.
And of course, Chrissy couldn’t help but be intrigued by a photograph of the Highland Hospital, where Zelda Fitzgerald, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife, died in a fire. Chrissy has a bit of a thing for death-related themes in art, so this piece was right up her (dead-end) alley!
And it was also just one of several pieces with a literary theme…
They also had an impressive glass collection, including works by Harvey Littleton and his son, John.
They also had an impressive photography exhibit on display, and these photos were alternately provocative and beautiful.
After exploring the museum, we thoroughly enjoyed immersing ourselves in the vibrant and trending city of Asheville. From the eclectic art scene to the lively streets, Asheville offered a perfect mix of culture and excitement that made our visit unforgettable.
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